VOLUME 56 ISSUE 46 NOVEMBER 19, 2019 P25
Jorge Martinez "Aspar" A MotoGP Legend
F
our-time motorcycle
racing World Cham-
pion Jorge Martínez "As-
par" was officially named
as a MotoGP Legend in
a special ceremony that
took place at the Ricardo
Tormo Circuit, November
14. The former rider and
now boss of the Ángel
Nieto Team was pre-
sented with the honor by
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO
of Dorna, in an emotional
ceremony.
The 2019 season
marks four decades in
racing for Martínez, who
made his debut in Janu-
ary 1979 at an event in
Guadassuar (Valencia).
During his career,
Martínez won four titles:
three in the 80cc World
Championship (1986, 1987 and
1988) and one in the 125cc
World Championship (1988),
becoming the last ever double-
world champion in a single
season in 1988, when he won 15
races. In its 70-year history, only
13 riders have won more titles
than Martínez.
The Spaniard is also in the top
20 all-time grand prix winners'
list, with 37 victories (22 in 80cc
and 15 in 125cc). Aspar opened
his account at the Dutch TT at
Assen in 1984 and continued to
win races over the following 10
years, up until his final success
in the Grand Prix of Argentina.
In total, he stepped onto the
podium on 61 occasions (37
victories, 14 second places and
10 thirds), and he is the fifth
most winningest Spaniard in GP
history.
Aspar now joins an illustrious
list of MotoGP Legends that also
includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick
Doohan, Mike Hailwood, Wayne
Rainey, Nicky Hayden and many
others.
"Today is a very happy day for
me," Aspar said. "I want to thank
Carmelo Ezpeleta and Dorna for
this recognition, and everybody
else that has helped me over
the last 40 years of racing—from
being a young kid starting out
in the sport and now as a team
boss.
"For Dorna to name me as
a MotoGP Legend is a dream
come true. Who would have
thought that could happen to a
kid from Alzira, who only ever
wanted to race his motorcycle?
Now it is an honor for me to
enter this 'Hall of Fame'—the
MotoGP Legends are the best in
the history of the sport and it is
incredible to join a group of so
many wonderful riders." CN
Jorge Martinez "Aspar" joins the
ranks of MotoGP Legends.
